Page 76 of Echoes and Oaths
She tilted her head back and met his eyes. “This is insane.”
“This isus,” he said. “Completely nuts. Unexpected. Surrounded by armed women and mischievous toddlers. And perfect.”
She smiled, slow and tired but real.
From across the kitchen, her mother hissed, “Don’t kiss her, you’re going to smudge her makeup. We’re doing engagement photos later!”
Jinx raised an eyebrow. “Engagement photos?”
Raven flipped a knife and caught it by the hilt. “You and her, field of wildflowers, holding crossbows.”
“Never! Do you want this old woman to teach you a lesson, young lady? You’re not too old to be taken to the woodshed.” Eira’s mom pointed at Raven. “No weapons allowed.”
“… I’ll allow it,” Jinx said.
Raven and Eira’s mom turned and looked at him simultaneously. “Which one?” Raven lifted an eyebrow.
“Figure it out,” Jinx said and laughed when Raven bolted up and ran from the house. “I’m not going to the woodshed,” she called out as the door slammed shut.
Eira shook her head into Jinx’s chest. “I don’t even care if the goat walks me down the aisle now.”
Jinx kissed her temple and whispered, “No animals. Just us.”
The barnat Jinx’s ranch stood tall against the endless South Dakota sky, its weathered wood and dark metal roof softened by strands of fairy lights draped from beam to beam. Wildflowers, white daisies, purple coneflowers, and golden sunbursts lined the aisle between two rows of wooden benches filled with their Guardian family, the Macys, and a few others Eira had met in the local area. The scent of fresh hay and sweet clover drifted through the air, mixing with the faint sound of wind chimes that hung at the barn doors.
Inside, the space had been transformed. White muslin fabric swooped in gentle arcs between the rafters, and hanging lanterns cast a soft amber glow over the polished wood floors. A reclaimed wood arch stood at the far end of the aisle, twined with ivy and dotted with fresh blooms. Beyond it, the open barn doors framed the sweeping prairie beyond, filled with golden grasses swaying in the warm breeze. The Black Hills were just visible on the horizon.
Guests shifted and murmured in delight as the wedding party took their places. There was a sense of anticipation, and Jinx was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He watched the door open, and Teo walked out. Thelittle boy waved at him and started down the aisle. But halfway down the aisle, a small disruption drew laughter. The two-year-old stood frozen in place, clutching the velvet ring pillow with chubby fingers, eyes wide as a fluffy brown-and-white puppy darted out from behind the rows and tumbled straight toward him. One of the rescues-in-training had wriggled out of the kennels near the stables. Teo, unimpressed by the formality of the moment, plopped right down on the aisle runner with a giggle and began patting the excited puppy's ears, forgetting entirely about the pillow and the crowd watching him.
From the side, Jinx’s deep chuckle rolled across the space. In his tailored black tuxedo, which was modern-cut with a crisp white shirt, no tie, and just a small silver pin of a wolf’s head at the collar, he broke rank from his spot at the altar and strode down the aisle.
He crouched beside Teo, murmuring something that made the little boy laugh and press a kiss to his father's cheek. Jinx lifted his son and the ring pillow, while the puppy scampered happily behind them.
“Guess the no animal policy was busted,” he said as he returned to his place, setting Teo down gently beside one of the groomsmen with a wink.
And then the music changed.
Eira stepped into the light of the barn doors.
Gasps rose from the crowd. Her gown was breathtaking. It was a soft ivory fabric that clung to her curves before flaring slightly at the bottom. The hem was embroidered with delicate wildflower motifs that mirrored the ones blooming around the barn. When she turned to kiss her mother, he noticed the back dipped into a graceful V, and her shoulders were bare except for two sheer, off-the-shoulder sleeves that fluttered slightly in the breeze. Her dark hair was swept up into some kind of updo, loose strands curling around her cheeks. Tucked within the style was a silver comb shaped like flowers, which Raven had gifted her.
Escorting her down the aisle, Eira’s mother wore a deep amethyst dress with lace sleeves and a gently flared skirt. The woman’s proud smile shone brighter than the new jewels at her ears. She squeezed Eira’s hand, whispering something that made her daughter laugh before stepping back to her seat.
As Eira walked slowly toward Jinx, the puppy gave a joyful bark, Teo clapped, and Jinx stood utterly still, his expression filled with awe and reverence. This was his world. The people he trusted, thewoman of his dreams, and the son he loved more than he could imagine.
He offered his hand without a word, and she took it, their fingers lacing together effortlessly.
The crowd quieted.
The wind softened.
And beneath the open rafters of the barn, with the family, bonded and blood, that Jinx loved surrounding them, they promised forever.
The reception was in full swing as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of lavender and autumn golds and oranges. Strings of Edison bulbs crisscrossed above the barnyard, casting golden pools of light over long wooden tables set with wildflower centerpieces and mason jars filled with sweet tea and beer. A live band played softly near the barn doors, their music drifting over the gentle hum of laughter and clinking glasses.
At one of the round tables near the edge of the gathering, the assassins had clustered like their own little lethal and low-key storm system, tucked just far enough from the dance floor to avoid being asked to waltz or, God forbid, polka.
Rook leaned back in his chair, boots crossed at the ankle, sipping from a dark bottle of stout. His sharp gaze scanned the crowd. It was instinct.Phantom sat beside him, methodically disassembling and reassembling a silver cigar cutter he’d been given as a groomsman gift, his tie already loosened. Viper and Specter nursed bourbons with slow, calculated sips. Their silence was as comfortable as ever. Demon, in a dark charcoal vest and sleeves rolled up, had one arm slung casually over the back of a chair, chuckling at something Raven said.
